In a significant announcement at the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board’s executive luncheon, president Azim Bassarath revealed Pakistan’s scheduled tour of the Caribbean for a two-match Test series in July-August 2026. Both Tests will be hosted in Trinidad, marking a major cricketing event for the region.
Bassarath, who also holds the position of Cricket West Indies vice-president, made the disclosure at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva on December 17. The series will commence with a four-day warm-up match at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA), followed by the first Test at Queen’s Park Oval and the concluding Test returning to the BLCA.
The TTCB president simultaneously announced the Brian Lara Cricket Academy’s newly acquired status as a fully accredited international venue capable of hosting matches across all formats. This development represents a significant milestone for the Tarouba-based facility, which hosted its first international match in October 2017—a women’s ODI between West Indies and Sri Lanka.
The venue has steadily grown in prominence, hosting its first men’s T20 international in July 2022 between West Indies and India, followed by its inaugural men’s ODI in August 2023, also featuring India. The BLCA has become synonymous with Caribbean cricket excitement, particularly during the Caribbean Premier League where it hosted finals from 2017 to 2020. Most notably, the venue staged the first semifinal of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, which saw South Africa dominate Afghanistan by nine wickets.
Additionally, Bassarath revealed Trinidad would host the West Indies T20 Breakout League from January 24 to February 8 at the BLCA. This follows the success of the inaugural 2024 tournament where the TT Legions team, coached by Rayad Emrit, claimed victory against the Leeward Islands Thunder. Bassarath emphasized the significance of this achievement, noting the league’s design to bridge the gap between junior and senior cricket levels.
The TTCB’s extensive 2026 calendar remains intact, featuring interzone youth competitions beginning with under-15 activities from January 28, National League Premiership tournaments starting January 24, a domestic T20 Festival from April 16 to May 2, and the reintroduction of a domestic 30-over competition running from February 3 to March 22.
Bassarath, recently elected unopposed for his sixth consecutive term as TTCB president on October 25, continues to oversee the development of cricket in Trinidad and Tobago amid these significant international and domestic arrangements.